Topic: The Mantle

Rena A Cronin

Date: 2007-11-18 01:44 EST
Ever since she found this place, the main draw was the fireplace with the wall to wall mantle. It was going to be a place where items would be displayed but up until a few weeks ago, it was empty. Then a vase appeared: a rather simple one since the owner wasn't one for flashy stuff. It was crystal, about eight inches tall, cylinder in shape with a small dent about three inches from the top. In that dent were two ribbons twisted together-one gold and one silver-and tied in a rather haphazard bow that sat dead center of the vase. The tails of the ribbon were uneven and she liked it that way.

Two weeks ago, a blue rose found a home there-a gift from Lydia which was a gift to her from Beth for her birthday. Lydia had given it to her to cheer her up and it did...along with the talks that had preceded and followed. Every night the rose was the last thing she saw before falling asleep on the couch.

Last night, the blue rose was joined by a pair. Sitting in the Arena after hours, a lively conversation was enjoyed. Somewhere in the conversation a game was played and when she picked the left hand, on the palm was a blood red rose in full bloom. When it was handed to her, the flower was lifted to inhale its fragrance and she smiled. More talking ensued along with more drinking. A question was asked about favorite colors and a rose of peach was delivered from inside a coat and joined the red one, keeping it company.

When everyone had departed, the walk home was taken slowly as she carefully held the flowers in her right hand, lifting them from time to time to inhale their unique blend of fragrances. Once inside the abode, a path was taken to the mantle and the roses were unwrapped from the tissue and placed, one on each side, of the blue rose, slightly lower in the vase. A seat on the couch that faced the mantle, she grabbed a blanket and draped it over her before leaning on the arm of the couch and eventually fell asleep.

Rena A Cronin

Date: 2007-12-08 10:55 EST
Somehow, someway another vase ended up on the mantle. This one was also crystal but triangular in shape but the same height as the other. No ribbon adorned this one as there was no indentions in this one. Inside though was a single rose, also blue in color: the difference was it the hues of blue it held. Starting at the top was a light blue representing the sky, in the middle was a deep blue that represented the ocean and near the stem was dark blue, twilight sky.

Between the two vases was a pendant in the shape of a dragon, hung on a simple jewelry stand.

Rena A Cronin

Date: 2008-02-02 19:32 EST
A third vase appeared, same size and material as the others but six sided.
Inside were a pair of roses, as different as night and day. One was pure black, in keeping with the giver. The other was blood red, petals very soft to the touch. Above the mantle was the gift from the potter, dead center of the wall. The candles that were lit gave the wall hanging the impression of the moon hitting the leaves. After the weird months, it was the peace and quiet that was needed-if only for a few hours.








http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb143/PiperTippet/IMG_0152.jpg

Rena A Cronin

Date: 2008-07-29 16:52 EST
The mantle was filling up fast, the gift of flowers coming unexpectedly. She appreciated them all and each got their own vase-none any taller than eight inches. But of late the mantle-and the place- didn't give her the peace and contentment she had before. She had a good circle of friends but the one that was missing was one she met when she first arrived in this city-the one who introduced her to the duels, the one who was her first duel in swords. They had their ins and outs but mostly they had been there for each other. Now it seemed it was going the way of everything else-it was becoming a part of the past. She didn't want that to happen but she wasn't sure what to do. She was never much of a talker and when she tried to say something the words wouldn't come out. Many had attempted to draw her out but she kept quiet-until last night at the Glen. Someone she hadn't seen in a while was present as she was walking to gather her thoughts and think things through. Michael told her to talk to the friend and to tell him how she felt. She had agreed but to get him alone was going to be hard-it never seemed he was alone anymore-she would try through, otherwise she was just going to drag herself further down into this hole she was digging.